6 ways baking soda can make your life easier

Baking soda's chemical formula is NaHCO3.

It is a water-soluble weak alkali and can be purchased in most supermarkets. You might be surprised how useful this common chemical compound is outside the kitchen.

USES

1. COCKROACH REPELLENT

Mix a pinch of sugar with baking soda to make a poison bait for cockroaches.

Place the bait where cockroaches often roam.

They should disappear in a few days.

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Note that this only helps if you have a minor cockroach problem.

For an infestation, it's best to get pest control.

2. GREASE REMOVAL

Dissolve baking soda in 70 - 80 deg C water in a 1:1 ratio and soak a scouring cloth in the solution to scrub off stubborn grease in the kitchen.

3. GLASS STAIN REMOVAL

Make a scrub with lemon juice and baking soda to rub off the stain on glass surfaces like your shower screen.

4. DEODORANT

Add one teaspoon of baking soda and one teaspoon of lemon juice to a litre of water.

Wipe surfaces with the liquid to both cleanse and remove odour.

The scent of lemon is especially effective in masking fishy smells.

5. TEA AND COFFEE STAIN REMOVAL

Fill your stained porcelain container and dissolve a teaspoon of baking soda in the water.

If this does not remove the stains completely, sprinkle dry baking soda in the cup and scrub with a firm hand.

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For especially stubborn stains, boil water with baking soda and pour the liquid into the porcelain ware.

Leave the liquid to sit for a while.

Empty the liquid after it has cooled down and then scrub off the stains.

6. MOULD REMOVAL

Make a baking soda paste with water, and apply onto mouldy surfaces.

The mould should come off after a few scrubs.

For extra vigour, consider adding vinegar to the mix.

MATERIALS NEVER TO USE BAKING SODA ON

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ALUMINIUM

Upon contact with baking soda, aluminium will tarnish and a black layer will be formed on the surface due to oxidation.

HARDWOOD

Baking soda solution would leave water stains on the hardwood when rubbed into the material.

ANIMAL PROTEIN

Wool and silk are animal protein fibres. Baking soda tenderises meat by changing the chemistry of the meat.

Likewise, when wool or silk fabric is soaked in baking soda, its texture will change and discolouration will occur.

LACQUERED SURFACES

Baking soda might leave water stains on the lacquered surface.

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Time to ditch your toxic cleaners and give this highly effective, nontoxic wonder a try!

This article was first published in Renonation.